***** (5 stars)
There are many sushi restaurants in Chicago. There are even quite a few Omakase restaurants now. And a few of them feature direct interaction with the chef. But there are no experiences in Chicago that quite equal the interaction you'll experience with very personable chef Otto.
Rather than the officious, controlling chefs you so often encounter in Omakase restaurants, Chef Otto brings a friendly, educational attitude to the experience. His vast knowledge of fish and sushi preparation is there for the asking.
It's evident from the first bite, how much he cares about the quality of the fish. It's comprised largely of selections you will seldom find anywhere outside of Japan.
I have no idea how many courses were served during our experience, as we soon lost count. I only know that each bite seemed better than the one before it.
Although the space looks abandoned from the outside, when you step inside you are in an almost Zen-like interior, with the perfect lighting and music to complement an extraordinary meal. And the fact that there are only six seats makes it an amazingly intimate experience.
The small wine list and impressive reserve list are personally curated by the chef, so of course they perfectly complement the meal. We selected both a Champagne and a white Bordeaux. It was fascinating to see how some bites were perfect with one, and others with the other.
If you're looking for the ultimate sushi and Omakase experience in Chicago, you have found it.
Kyōten
2507 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647